Do you need a counterpoise for your EFHW antenna? This video breaks down the fundamental electronics, including Kirchhoff’s laws, to clarify how current actually flows in an EFHW antenna setup. Understanding these principles is essential for anyone trying to optimize their station and ensure their signal is radiating efficiently.
We also look at how to effectively use a common-mode choke to manage current flow. By adding a dedicated counterpoise, you can significantly improve antenna performance and resolve common RF interference issues. This technical walkthrough is designed for amateur radio enthusiasts who want to move beyond hearsay and understand the physics behind their equipment.
Subscribe for more antenna theory breakdowns, and let me know in the comments if you run your EFHW with or without a counterpoise.
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The 52 Challenge | From Idea to Viral Sensation! #52challenge
Practical, decentralized communications — no towers, no carriers, no permission needed. This channel covers ham radio, Meshtastic and mesh networks, GMRS, and off-grid gear for staying connected anywhere.
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If I had to start amateur radio all over again, what would I buy… and perhaps more importantly, why? This presentation was recorded live for the Norfolk Amateur Radio Club, where I explored a simple thought experiment: imagine you’ve sold the house, downsized, or lost your entire station. You have a small plot, a sensible budget, and you’re starting from scratch.
What would you build?
We discuss:
• Choosing a radio that gives the best long-term flexibility.
• Why I believe USB-equipped radios changed the hobby.
• Low dipoles vs verticals – and why each has a different job.
• Why 40 metres is really two different bands depending on the time of day.
• The surprisingly effective Loop-on-Ground receive antenna.
• Two VFOs, stereo listening and why I find it so powerful.
• Building a practical station before spending money on expensive hardware.
• Why experimentation is still the most enjoyable part of amateur radio.
This isn’t a review of any particular product, and it certainly isn’t the only way to build a station. It’s simply how I would approach things today, after many years of operating, contesting and experimenting.
Hopefully it gives you a few ideas for your own station.
My RFI Problems Are Gone! Victron Inverter & Charge Controller
After doing some thinking after making the last video, the idea of having to choke out all the RFI coming from the LiTime inverter every time I went camping was not a solution for me. Sure, it mostly worked, but what a pain. That was only half the setup too! We still had solar to deal with! We ended up plugging in my solar setup after filming the last video and it was a nightmare of RFI. I had a Bateria 50 amp MPPT charge controller that was just about the most noisy thing I’ve ever seen. So at the suggestion of a friend, I purchased a Victron inverter and MPPT charge controller. What a difference this made! You’ll have to see it to believe it.
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I Put the FlashForge Creator 5 to Work... Here’s What Happened
What can you actually make with the FlashForge Creator 5 after the review is over? In this video, I show several practical 3D printing projects I’ve completed since getting the printer, including a rugged Gridfinity case with a custom tray for the Dremel Lite, a purpose-built Gridfinity soldering station, modular Gridfinity storage bins, and stackable 4×6 photo trays. These are the kinds of useful prints that turn a 3D printer from a novelty into a full-time workshop tool.
I also look at how 3D printing supports some of my amateur radio projects, including the AIOC radio interface, the TOADs DI, and the six-radio TOADs DI6. One viewer even designed a custom printed enclosure for the TOADs DI, showing how community-created accessories can make DIY radio hardware cleaner, more portable, and easier to use.
The FlashForge Creator 5 has become part prototyping machine, part small-scale production tool, and part organizer factory. This video is a practical look at what I’ve printed, how the parts are being used, and why a capable enclosed 3D printer can be valuable for electronics, radio projects, tool storage, and everyday problem-solving.
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Let’s see what’s inside this 25-watt device! We’re opening it up to check the heat sink and power modes. First step: remove the bottom panel. Hopefully, the right tools make it easy!
Check out 12Volt Power for excellent portable ham radio equipment! https://www.12voltpower.com/?ref=hrcc
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HRV Discord: https://discord.gg/hrv
Recommendations from the show:
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🔋 Batteries: https://dxengineering.pxf.io/kOmnJd
🔋 Solar: https://dxengineering.pxf.io/Qj5q23
📻 Want the best HT antenna? Signal Stuff Signal Stick https://signalstuff.com/?ref=622
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📡 Chameleon Antennas make the most robust antennas on the market, check them out here: https://chameleonantenna.com?bg_ref=99VqhYXETt
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@cfell wants to mount a vertical on his metal roof, but wonders if it is possible to tune on the ground and then move it to the roof.
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Elecrow M6 in Action: Decentralized Communications Done Right
Learn how to turn the Elecrow ThinkNode M6 into a reliable MeshCore Repeater in this complete guide!
This solar-powered outdoor LoRa node (nRF52840 + SX1262, 6W solar panel, 7000mAh battery, GPS, IP65) is one of the best ready-to-deploy options for expanding your MeshCore network. We walk through flashing MeshCore repeater firmware, configuration, solar charging performance, real-world range, and outdoor deployment tips so you can use the M6 as a dedicated mesh backbone node.
Perfect for ham radio operators, emergency communications, off-grid mesh networks, and anyone building a more efficient LoRa mesh than traditional flooding systems.
🔗 Useful links:
Elecrow ThinkNode M6 → https://tidd.ly/3Sr7uQy
MeshCore Web Flasher → https://flasher.meshcore.io
MeshCore Official → https://meshcore.io/
Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more MeshCore, Meshtastic, and ham radio mesh content!
Practical, decentralized communications — no towers, no carriers, no permission needed. This channel covers ham radio, Meshtastic and mesh networks, GMRS, and off-grid gear for staying connected anywhere.
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Commissions may be earned on affiliate links.
Tank Radio SpoolTenna Review: Easy Wire Antenna Setup
Is the SpoolTenna the best turnkey HamRadio solution for POTA? In this Short, I’m giving my final thoughts on this AntennaSetup. While it’s a bit bulky for some RadioGear bags, the ease of use for a 40mBand WireAntenna is unbeatable. I love the strain relief and banana clip features that make this AmateurRadio tool so reliable. Whether you’re into PortableRadio or need a quick EmergencyComm setup, this TankRadio review covers why this SignalSearch tool is a winner. Don’t forget to use code TANK at checkout to save!
New Tanker Radio Gear:
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5% off selected Items at Gigaparts- https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=KG5AHJ%20INFLUENCER%20PAGE
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